B is for Brilliance with the Vancouver Island Symphony

The Vancouver Island Symphony presents

B is for Brilliance
Guest artist: Sara Davis Buechner, Piano
Conductor: Pierre Simard
Saturday, October 20, 7:30 p.m.
Port Theatre, Nanaimo
Pre and Post concert talks.
Tickets: 250-754-8550 www.porttheatre.com

 

Bursting with musical beauty, the opening performance of the Vancouver Island Symphony’s 2012-2013 Season, titled “Music is Life. Live it Here!” - is brilliant! Perfect for the classical connoisseur and for the new-to-classics and give-it-a-try audience, the concert brims with pure emotional and melodic magnificence as Maestro Pierre Simard directs the orchestra in B is for Brilliance on Saturday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Port Theatre.

Simard has created a bountiful program featuring the big B’s of the classical world – Bach, the original father of harmony; Beethoven and his turbulent emotions; and Brahms, the gentle and romantic humanitarian – by far, three of the greatest composers ever, each uniquely different, passionate and creative.

Bach – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) wrote the Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor for organ early in his multi-faceted musical career (here arranged for modern orchestra by Simard). It is one of his most important and well-known works. Orchestral versions of Passacaglia have been used in The Godfather and White Nights, and a jazz interpretation has been recorded by flautist Hubert Laws.

Beethoven – Piano Concerto No. 3, Op. 37 was written by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) when he was only thirty. It is a work rich in the turbulent emotions for which he was becoming known.

Buechner -  Guest artist and international pianist Sara Davis Buechner says, “It is in Beethoven’s 3rd that he achieved the epitome of the great classical concerto. It was his middle period; he knew exactly who he was with style and personality. There is utter perfection to the form and material.” Buechner, who has over 100 concertos in her repertoire and performs around the world, adds, “I often come back to the 3rd as my favourite of the Beethoven’s. When that piece is over and I’ve finished playing there is such satisfaction and contentment.”

Brahms – Often referred to as “Beethoven’s Tenth”, Symphony No. 1 Op. 68 by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), was seen by the composer as an act of homage. Brahms was acutely aware of the deeply rooted traditions of Germanic music extending back not just to Beethoven, but beyond him to Bach and at first doubted his ability to write a symphony. He once stated, “You have no idea how it feels to hear behind you the tramp of a giant like Beethoven.” From the original sketches to finishing touches it took Brahms 21 years to complete this brilliant symphony that is filled with such beautiful melody.

B is for Brilliance - Three remarkable composers and one of the leading keyboard artists of our time – all whose surnames begin with the letter B - and all with remarkable life stories. To find out more, visit the Pre-Concert and Post-Concert talks. Then come and experience the music LIVE! That’s B is for Brilliance - music that touches all the emotions, performed with passion and precision by the talented musicians of the VI Symphony.

For an interview article with Sara Davis Buechner visit www.quillsquotesandnotes.com/ws-buechner.htm.
And for Sara's web site visit www.saradavisbuechner.com.